The following letter was written by Adelbert M. Spencer (1840-1902), the son of Jeremiah and Anna (Blackstone) Spencer of Woodstock, Windham county, Connecticut. Adelbert enlisted on 25 October 1861 to serve in Co. H, 11th Connecticut Infantry. He was a private in the ranks until December 1863 when he was reassigned as a wagoner. He mustered out on 21 December 1865 at Hartford, Connecticut.

The 11th Connecticut has been with Burnside on his expedition to the Carolinas early in the war and returned to Virginia and the Army of the Potomac to participate in the Battle of Fredericksburg and the Mud March, although we learn that Adelbert avoided much of the latter by being on guard duty. Adelbert’s letter speaks of the demoralization of the army after its setbacks on the Rappahanock and of the thinning of the ranks.

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Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia
January 25, 1863

Dear Uncle,

I received a letter in Sarah’s from you and was glad to get one from you and I hope these few lines will find you well and all the rest of the folks. I am in good health but I have got tired of this humbug war and there is a good many more than I. There was two or three Corps went down to the river about six miles from the city and the pontoons, got one boat in the river and soon then got stuck in the mud so they could not get along and the Rebels happened to get their artillery planted for us and our men lost horses and broke their wagons down. They had to hitch 30 horses on one gun to get along and they found out that they could get along and the officers told their men to break ranks and they started for their camps.

The 11th [Connecticut] Regiment was on picket and we had a wet time and hain’t got our blankets dry yet. We expected to march when we got to the camp. I guess we shall have to stay here a spell. I guess that we won’t get to Richmond this winter. The Rebels blackguard our men about Burnside stuck in the mud and they told our boys that if they wanted any help, that they would come over and lay the bridge so that we could get along. It is hard work to face those breastworks. If they could come out in an open field, we could give them all they wanted.

Our army is getting small very fast. There is a good many of our men [who] desert every day and there is a good many of their times run out in the spring and then this war has got to come to a close. I wish it could be today.

I am on guard today and when I get off guard tomorrow, I will go over to the 12th [Connecticut] Regiment and see the boys. I have been thinking of going over. Is William Burdick in Greenwich. If he is, give him my best respects.

Uncle, I am very much obliged for that 80 cents. It wasn’t a great while ago that we were paid off and we expect to get pay again in a day or two. I should rather it was postage stamps. That’s what we can’t get in the army, or something else. A box would come right through now. It would make Aunt Hannah too much work to get one ready to send. If you should send one, I would like a bottle of Borgilard. Mother sent me one and it is all gone.

Tell Sarah I will answer her letter when I get that paper she is a going to send to me. We don’t get much news out here. I want you to answer this letter and if you don’t, I shall write letters enough to make up that 80 cents. I hain’t a very good writer and a very poor speller and so you must excuse this letter. So goodbye. Give my love to all and take a share for yourself. From Adelbert M. Spencer